Violin Forum/Message Board

[AmateurViolinist]

Hi, I just got a new violin, and I am having an enormous amount of trouble keeping it tuned. I'm very slowly and carefully turning the pegs, and I've had the brand-new strings snap on many occasions just by tuning it! In addition, the pegs constantly slip and *if* I finally get the stupid thing tuned, the pegs slip and it's again out of tune. This is driving me crazy and I don't think this is normal for violins. Is there something I can do? Again, I'm a newbie, so your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[Chet Bishop]

Poorly fitted pegs...very common on very cheap violins. (Sorry; I am guessing, of course, but from what you are describing, it sounds that way.) The pegs need attention, including rounding/smoothing the inside edges of the string holes, to prevent their cutting the strings.

When I have sold cheap violins, I first replaced pegs and bridge with good quality, properly fitted replacements, and checked the nut to make sure the string grooves were not going to cause trouble. I also put decent strings on, of course.

Yes, that required me to charge a little more, but the result was that the strings stayed in tune and did not break, and the violin was easy to play.

Anymore, I don't really like to deal with those instruments. People who are willing to buy them are usually interested in the cheapest deal they can get, and then frustrated that it does not sound like the more expensive ones, and has very low resale value.

If I am misunderstanding what you have described, I apologize. In that case, take it back to the luthier you bought it from, and insist that he/she make it right. That is one of the privileges obtained by getting your violin through a luthier, not online, or at a music shop with no violin repair facility.

I do hope you can get this taken care of quickly. This is the kind of thing that can frustrate a person to the extent they no longer desire to play, and I don't want you to feel that way.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[Dave Chandler]

Chet's advice is sound, but you might be looking for a quick temporary solution. If so, You might try getting some "peg soap" which is like a small brown crayon (but don't use crayon!). It helps lubricate but at the same time helps hold the peg in place. I think its got bees wax in it, kinda slips once it gets going, but has initial resistance.

If you can't find peg soap, you can try a little chalk which will help the peg hold. Its a bit abrasive, I wouldn't do this on an expensive violin, but it sounds like it can't hurt in this case.

I don't recommend peg oil as its alcohol based and can take the finish off. Not sure how you can break a string unless you're tuning way up above the appropriate tone. E strings particularly will do this, so sneak up on that one.

As Chet intimated -- the best solution is to go back to the shop and have them ensure the peg holes are clean and correct taper, as well as the pegs. If they're cut properly, they should hold without any additional help.
_________________
Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

[Mat Roop]